In the conflict between the SPÖ in Burgenland and the federal party, state manager Roland Fürst followed up in an interview. In the “Kurier” (Tuesday edition) he denies that there are plans to split off – but he speaks of “extremely angry” party members who “no longer wanted to support the federal party chairman”. And he questions the agreed transfer of membership fees to the federal government.
The “Kurier” reported that some Burgenland party officials, including several mayors, had proposed to separate themselves from the Federal SPÖ, following the example of the Bavarian CSU. “No, there are no plans that the Burgenland SPÖ want to separate from the federal party,” said Fürst.
But many functionaries and members are upset: “They do not understand Pamela Rendi-Wagner’s statements and are extremely angry. Quite a few therefore ask whether membership is only possible in the country. They no longer want to support the federal party chairman. ”And during discussions with functionaries, the topic also emerged that the transfer of 33 percent of the party funds from membership fees to the federal government might be stopped.
Relativization on Facebook
On Facebook, Fürst later made an effort to reach agreement: the vast majority of the members and functionaries wanted “a united party that pulls together,” he posted. The SPÖ is a “multi-layered movement”, but ultimately “it is clear that we stand together – even if sometimes with different approaches – for a social and fair policy”. The Burgenland contribution will “of course” be made “to an SPÖ election victory at federal level”, said Fürst on Facebook.
He also did not question the transfer of membership fees to the federal government, Fürst specified in a statement to the APA. There are always officials who do not want part of their contribution to be passed on to the federal government, “but these are individual cases”.
The outrage in Burgenland was caused by the fact that Rendi-Wagner’s governor, Hans Peter Doskozil, accused him of “unsolidarity” behavior because he did not come to the presidium’s meeting in Krems last week. Fürst “wonders”, as he said, that “not taking part in an event of which Hans Peter Doskozil is not a member can become such a big thing”. The governor was on a consultation day in Oberwart and had other appointments.